The World Customs Organization (WCO) celebrated on Friday (21.01.2021) the establishment of its new Regional Dog Training Centre (RDTC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"The WCO Secretariat congratulates AFIP for this accreditation and wishes the RDTC much success in Buenos Aires"the organization said in a statement.
On January 18, the Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, and the head of the General Directorate of Customs, Silvia Brunilda Traverso, signed the Memorandum of understanding which establishes the Buenos Aires Regional Dog Training Center, another example of the value assigned by the intergovernmental organization to its regional entities.
Mikuriya said in this regard that “dog teams are widely used for a variety of Customs functions, being one of the key partners of our Customs officers in their daily tasks.” He also highlighted the maintenance of high standards of canine control and a global network. “The accreditation of the Regional Dog Training Centres aims to share knowledge and professionalism and, more importantly, to develop regional capacity and cooperation in canine control. With that in mind, I have full confidence in the future success of the new RDTC in Buenos Aires,” said the WCO’s top authority.
Over the years, Customs has faced an ever-changing trade environment and increased public expectations for even more efficient Customs operations. The WCO stressed that “among the non-intrusive operational tools available, canine units have gained prominence and have become indispensable in the performance of Customs functions.” In this regard, it explained that “the scope of canine enforcement is expanding from its traditional role of drug detection to address the security challenges that Customs, as the first line of defence at borders, must face and overcome.” It indicated: “Today, canine teams play a key role not only in the detection of explosives and drugs, but also in the detection of other types of contraband such as currency and illegally traded goods protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).”
This highlights the need to acquire capabilities to detect a variety of illegal products and achieve the goal of an effective and efficient Customs service in the 21st century.
With the one located in Buenos Aires, the OMA adds There are already 18 Regional Dog Training Centers accredited in the different regions in the world. (WCO statement)
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
